University of Southampton Safe Space Campaign

70% of transgender and gender nonconforming people experience some form of harassment in public toilets. This is NOT acceptable. 

We are asking the University and Student Union to consider the provision of gender neutral toilets and to reiterate that harassment isn't acceptable.

Gender neutral bathrooms may allow trans & gender nonconforming people to feel safer. And a campaign to fight harassment hopefully will help transgender and gender nonconforming people to feel more confident entering a 'single sex' toilet if they want to.

Everyone deserves access to public toilets and no one should have to fear violence or harassment.

Find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Universityofsouthamptonsafespacecampaign

We believe there are many ways the Union could provide a safer space for transgender and gender nonconforming students. We feel it would be beneficial for the Union to liaise with students involved and interested in putting their ideas into action.

For example, in building 58 the toilets are singular cubicles but are labelled as male and female. We feel that these labels are unnecessary and would be much more inclusive if they were removed. Singular cubicles available to all would benefit a large range of people including disabled students and staff, for example in the case of claustrophobia or autism.

Signs in toilets and around campus reminding students that harassment isn't tolerated would also help.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts on this issue.